Am I the only person who finds it difficult to work when it’s blazing hot and there’s no a/c?

Earlier in the week it was so bad, I felt nauseous all day. I couldn’t take it anymore and on Thursday went out to Santa Marinella for a day trip. Finally, some relief.

Santa Marinella

I have never been during high season. It was packed.

My favorite restaurant was closed so I tried L’Acqua Marina which my friend Elizabeth likes. The food was delicious and the view wasn’t too bad either.

Sea view from the restaurant L’Acqua Marina

I think there are more tourists in town this August. That is great news for the economy. Not such great news if you are a local stuck in Rome. Almost everything non touristy (e.g. dry cleaners, newsstand, favorite restaurants) is closed. It’s the worst of both worlds. I don’t get to enjoy “quiet Rome” because my area is packed with tourists.

The majority of my friends are out of town for weeks. Many of my American expat friends to go the States to see family and my Italian friends are traveling all over.

Plus it’s too bloody hot to do anything outside from 9:30 a.m. to about 5:30 p.m.

I know I say it (I need to get out of Rome in August) every year, but this summer broke the camel’s back. A law was passed recently allowing places that serve “food” to stay open as late as they want instead of closing at 2:00 a.m. So now the obnoxious bar across my very narrow street, has drunk tourists singing/fighting/yelling until 5:00 a.m.

Even with my windows shut and a fan going I can hear these fools. I don’t think I will be able to move to a new apartment when my contract is up next year, but I will rent a place in the mountains or by the sea next summer. I am so done.